At-large candidates talk medical help, central dispatch

Stephanie Ujhelyi

Wednesday

Oct 28, 2009 at 9:00 PM

By STEPHANIE UJHELYI

The Review

Whether centralized dispatching or first responders, at-large candidates want what is best for city residents, they revealed in responses to Review questionnaires for a series on the city’s highest contested race.

Three Democrats (Carolyn Crites, Steve Okey and Sue Ryan), three Republicans (Alan Andreani, Sarah Brown and Lawrence Dordea), and independent Don Brady are vying for three at-large council seats in Alliance.

The seats are currently occupied by Andreani, Okey and Ryan.

Centralized dispatching funded by a county-imposed sales tax increase and first responders are two of the key issues facing council, and city officials have been skeptical of an existing plan to merge dispatching operations within the county.

Alan Andreani, who currently chairs council’s Safety and Judiciary Committee, expressed opinions similar to many unsure about the proposal. Alliance’s highly trained and knowledgeable dispatchers are "very familiar with the Alliance community as opposed to dispatchers from elsewhere."

However, he also recognizes that there would be benefits to one county dispatch, which would require acquisition of "new equipment" by the county. However, a disadvantage would be that new equipment might prove incompatible with Alliance’s equipment.

Andreani said Alliance safety officials plan to visit Massillon, where the change to a consolidated dispatch with area townships occurred 15 years ago. "I always am willing to listen to the various options ... to make the best decision for Alliance residents," he added.

Don Brady, who works for 911 dispatch, declined to comment on merging dispatching operations due to a potential conflict of interest; however, he opposed additional taxes due to the economy.

Candidate Sarah Brown said she has had to utilize Alliance dispatching twice in the past couple years: once after a run-in between a deer and her vehicle as well as an attempted "violent break-in" of her home. "On each occasion, Alliance dispatch services were prompt, professional and reassuring until help arrived," she explained. "I will not endorse any plan that will diminish services to the citizens of Alliance. I support regionalization when it benefits all concerned."

Both Andreani and Brown added that an imposed tax, under the guise of centralizing 911 but also funding general operations, is one that should be voted on by the people.

"With the county funding the operation, we will not have to include that in our city budget. Yes, that money still comes out of our pockets, but an efficient county system will make us safe no matter where we are in Stark County," she added.

Lawrence Dordea, who is the former city police chief who ran against Stark County Sheriff Timothy Swanson last year, describes the 911 ballot language as "confusing" and notes that the monies collected will serve primarily as a county office bailout.

"I truly believe that the 911 issues are problems more attributable to supervisory problems, and Alliance will suffer a reduction in dispatch quality if it passes. We all continue to pay a 911 tax on our cell phone bills to help fund the 911 center, which is why I can assure you that until something better than dialing 911 comes along, 911 will continue to be answered," Dordea explained.

Steve Okey, while acknowledging the problems with the county’s current dispatch center, expresses serious concerns about the plan. "A centralized 911 dispatching system would be more efficient and could reduce delays. (However,) I disagree with imposing a tax to pay for (it) without a vote of the people," he said.

"The county’s plan of merging all the various dispatch operations has been a moving target," Okey continues. "Our city dispatchers know our city and do a great job. I am concerned that (their) local knowledge and expertise would be replaced with county dispatchers who are not familiar with our community."

Sue Ryan also raises questions about the familiarity of dispatchers and the availability of possible jobs for Alliance’s dispatchers. "Unless these questions are answered satisfactorily, I cannot support the plan." She adds, "As elected representatives, the county commissioners have the authority to increase the county sales tax. However, it is preferable that any proposed tax increase be placed before the people for their approval."

The subject of first responders, though gaining mixed support upon institution, has garnered appreciation from the seven candidates.

Andreani said he wasn’t completely sold when it came before his committee five years ago. "(I was concerned about) its implementation and wear and tear on our fire trucks," he said. "At that time, then-police Chief Dordea told us that police were first on the scene during 700 of the 1,300 calls received and are trained in basic first aid."

He also noted hurdles to the program, which included union issues regarding pay for additional services, request for additional manpower since its implementation and coordination between the various entities.

Andreani said he also supported training police to first responder level, so that the unit closest to the scene could respond and provide a more comprehensive service.

Candidate Brady believes "the first responder program wastes the time of our firefighters and money." "I believe if you want to fight fires, then be a firefighter. The firefighters’ union could establish a pay scale for advanced skills."

Brown believes that "the issue of the safety of the citizens of Alliance and those who may be passing through our city and need services should not be an issue between city administrators and council."

"If this is a case of political issues, those differences must be set aside. If this is an issue of costs and the city budget, this should be debated openly on the council floor," Brown added.

Crites called the first responder program "a success." "If elected, I will consider whatever affordable improvements the chief recommends," she explained.

"The first responders are providing a much-needed service to our community," Dordea said. "Saving lives and treating the injured is a worthwhile service and our firefighters are uniquely positioned to provide this service. Any further increase in service levels and equipment will be driven by the economic conditions that exist."

Okey sponsored the first responders’ ordinance in 2006 and continues to support the program. "We all recall the response times as long as 20 minutes, and sometimes more, for medical emergencies. The first responders have saved lives and greatly improved emergency response times in Alliance — and have come in under budget every year," he continued.

Also co-sponsoring for first responders was Ryan.

"In spite of negative predictions, it has proved to be cost-effective and most importantly lifesaving. The upgrade to Basic EMT will enable the first responders to be even more effective in administering care in emergency situations," she concluded.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.